Multi-agency support continues with response teams on the ground reassuring communities and ready to act if necessary
- The situation remains stable
- In light of the above this update will now be issued every other weekday unless the situation changes
A major incident remains in place – the situation is stable with water levels plateauing or receding, but further rain is forecast in the coming days with a Met Office yellow warning for rain in place during Thursday.
Operations are still being co-ordinated involving Somerset Council, emergency services, health colleagues, the Environment Agency (EA), local voluntary organisations and other key partners.
There was an information point held at Moorlands today (Wednesday 4 February), from 10am to 12noon and a Talking Cafe/information point run by Thrive at the Angel Cafe in Langport today from 11.30am-1.30pm.
We are not holding an information point at Moorlands tomorrow (5 February), however all partner agencies remain available for any queries or concerns. Please see contacts below.
Please view previous updates here.
Emergency Response and Recovery Team
Teams remain on standby – ongoing weather conditions and water levels are being monitored.
In line with the principles of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum plan, the first Recovery Working Group is expected to stand up soon.
Highways and Transport
The clear-up work continues. County-wide the recent weather has caused a high number of defects on roads across Somerset, and our teams are working hard to assess these and fix them in order of priority.
Over the last two weeks the service has had 5,000 enquiries.
If you spot a problem, please ensure that these are reported here as soon as you can: Report a problem on the road. This is the quickest route for incidents to get picked up.
We would continue to ask people to be patient during this time, urgent repairs to defects may cause some travel disruption, we are grateful for people’s understanding.
Key road closures
On the Levels all four roads with emergency road closure gates remain closed – the A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge, along with Cutts Road, the Langport to Muchelney Road and New Road, West Lyng.
A small number of minor roads remain closed.
Please check here Roadworks and travel information and follow @travelsomerset on X and FB for travel updates.
Housing and Evacuation Support
- Only a small number of temporary accommodation placements have been required so far, and not in priority areas identified earlier.
- Housing teams are planning ahead.
We are encouraging anybody affected by flooding to please report it here: Flood report – Self Service.
In an emergency residents should always call 999 immediately.
Environment Agency Update
Situation:
Low rainfall has been recorded over the last 24 hours.
River levels are high but stable and the ground is saturated.
Moderately low rainfall totals are forecast for the next 5 days, however a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Thursday 5 February.
Spring tides peak today. This will slow drainage and affect pumping in some areas whilst tides are high. Pumps will continue to operate whenever river levels allow.
We continue to monitor conditions closely and will respond quickly to any changes.
There are currently 5 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts in place for rivers across Somerset. A coastal flood alert is due to be issued at Porlock Weir for high tides on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
We encourage people to check for updates regularly.
What we’re doing:
- Additional pumps are operational at: Northmoor, Saltmoor, Elson’s Clyce, Westonzoyland and Bridgwater Canal and Docks.
- Additional pumps are being mobilised to Currymoor and Haymoor. We cannot use these until River levels drop further.
- Additional ultra-high-volume pumps are being deployed at Dunball Sluice, we anticipate them becoming operational next week.
- Work to reprofile the land to allow water to flow directly into the North Drain is already having a positive impact. We have also carried out vegetation clearance in this area. We have investigated options at Viney’s Bridge and will install a temporary bypass channel. We have discussed this with landowners to deliver this with their agreement.
- We continue to dynamically operate the River Parrett Flood Relief Channel (Sowy) in agreement with the IDB, to ensure the maximum amount of water is channelled through the system.
- In the Brue catchment, pumping is operational at Gold Corner and North Drain, additional temporary pumps will run when river levels allow. We continue to operate the Brue Diversion Channel (Cripps River). Additional pumps are being mobilised at North Drain to proactively improve our pumping capacity should it be required.
Advice for our communities:
To ensure your safety, please do not walk or drive through flood water. Flood water may be deeper than it looks and contain sewage and hidden hazards.
We encourage you to report any property flooding as soon as you can. Reporting helps organisations coordinate support and prioritise response. You can do this by calling the Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60. Since a major incident was declared, multi-agency response to the flooding has been stepped up.
Sign up for flood warnings at Get flood warnings by text, phone or email – GOV.UK
Find more information and local gauge levels online at Find river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels – GOV.UK
For welfare needs, including animal welfare, please contact Somerset Council on 0300 123 2224.
NHS Somerset update
The NHS in Somerset is here for you if you need any help with your health during this difficult time.
- If you need advice on health conditions, or to check symptoms, visit 111online or phone 111.
- If you need clinical advice about a developing health condition, phone 111. They can provide advice and where needed, arrange for a clinician to phone you back to discuss your symptoms.
- We have 90 community pharmacies in Somerset with highly experienced community pharmacists who can give you clinical advice on over 40 common conditions and prescriptions for seven common conditions, including eye infections and UTI’s as of our Pharmacy First
- Our mental health service offers a 24/7 helpline (also available seven days a week online during the day). Phone Mindline Somerset on 0800 138 1692 (freephone) or 01823 276892 (local rate).
- We have urgent treatment centres that can help you with urgent care, including everything from sprains and broken bones, to head injuries, bites, eye infections and chest and throat infections. They are in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Chard, Bridgwater, Minehead (Minor Injury Unit), Yeovil.
For more information about how we can help look after you this winter visit winter web pages. This includes help with everything from where you can find a warm hub, pain cafes and help with free food, to support if you are experiencing domestic violence or help if you are struggling financially.
Remember if you have an emergency, please continue to call 999 or visit your Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Waste collections
All recycling and rubbish collections have been completed as normal today, and no delays are expected.
Keep an eye on social media for updates as the position may change quickly. Residents can also report a missed collection online, where details of recollection will be available: www.somerset.gov.uk/missed-collection
Schools
For the latest information on school closures please visit School closures
Preparing for flooding
- Sign up for flood warnings at uk/get-flood-warnings
- Call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for updates, to sign up for warnings, or to report flooding.
- Visit uk/prepare-for-flooding for advice on what to do During a flood
- Call 999 if there is a risk to life
Reporting Flooding
Environment Agency (main rivers or sea): 0800 80 70 60
Somerset Council (ordinary watercourses): 0300 123 2224
Wessex Water (sewers): 0345 600 4600
Check for flooding updates at check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk
Visit gov.uk/help-during-flood or somersetprepared.org.uk for guidance
Advice for residents
Our Communications Team is sharing information about where to find useful information for what to do to prepare for flooding.
Anyone worried about flooding or impacted by flooding can find advice and guidance at Flooding information and advice .
If there is serious risk to life due to flooding always call 999.
Anyone needing to leave their home due to flooding is reminded to take any medication they may need with them.
Do not drive through flood water. More information about safety during floods on the road can be found here: Adverse weather conditions
Reporting problems
To report flooding on a road or blocked drains on a road use our report a problem on a road form
If your property is owned by us and has been affected by flooding, please visit our Housing repairs page or you can phone us on 0300 123 2224.
For urgent housing needs please contact Somerset Council housing team on 0800 123 2224. Further information can be found on our website www.somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/homelessness-guidance/
Stay up to date
For the latest travel updates visit our Travel Somerset Facebook page or our Roadworks and travel information page
Find out the current status of roads that have Emergency road closure gates
